FCA (Fiat Chrysler Automobiles) has announced that it will build a new ‘battery assembly complex’ in Turin as part of its e-mobility strategy.

The new battery hub will be located in its Mirafiori facility, with preparations beginning in early 2020.

Pietro Gorlier, COO for FCA’s EMEA region (www.fiatpress.co.uk), said: “The automotive industry is undergoing a period of profound change, and one of the major trends is electrification.

"With its new car battery assembly centre at Mirafiori, FCA is accelerating its drive to this latest technology.”

A complete battery assembly factory will be created in a specially designed building, with the potential to be expanded for future projects. The ‘most advanced technology’ will be used, including collaborative robots working hand-in-hand with operators.

The new battery hub will also have space for training courses, as well as prototyping and experimentation during the pilot process, allowing FCA to ‘respond quickly to the continually evolving electrification sector’.

It will also have an ‘advanced technology centre’ dedicated to quality control and the testing of components provided by ‘industry-leading’ suppliers.

Comau will be a partner of the initiative, providing its expertise in the assembly process.

The initial investment will be about 50 million euros, with the announcement coming a few months after FCA said it would build a new electric-powered Fiat 500 at the Mirafiori plant (starting in the second quarterof 2020).

About 1,200 people will be dedicated to the production of this vehicle, with initial production of 80,000 units per year.